Theater

Change is in the air at the Warner Theatre. On opening night of the musical comedy whodunit "Curtains," Executive Director John Bonanni thanked the audience for its patience. This was in regards to the change of venue. Originally, the production was to be staged on the main stage. However, it was moved to the studio theater. After making that statement, Bonanni made another announcement. "Movies are coming back to the Warner in the main stage," he said. That caused a bit of stir in the audience. From what the executive director described, movies like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Sound of Music" as well as other old and some new movies will be presented on a huge movie screen. This is certainly a new development and came as quite a surprise, considering that since the theater's renovation, it has earned its reputation doing live theater and bringing in big name events. We'll have to wait and see how the movie attractions fare. The Warner offers so much including a wide variety of theater classes, that re-introducing movies just goes to show that what's old is new again.

About Newtown and Sandy Hook Tributes

There have been and continue to be so many wonderful benefits for Newtown's Sandy Hook Elementary School. It makes you realize how many wonderful people share this earth. All over Newtown, you can find variations of green and white bows and ribbons tied to telephone poles. In Newtown, you still hear stories of generosity coming from all over the world. Recently, a young neighbor of mine was part of a group of Newtown children who sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on "Good Morning America." They made a recording of the song, proceeds of which will benefit the Newtown Youth Academy and the United Way of Western Connecticut.

Recently, Brooke Tansley of Waterbury appeared on "Better Connecticut," where she performed "Someone Like You" from the musical "Jekyll and Hyde," which will be returning to Broadway and which was written by Frank Wildhorn. In addition to performing that song, she spoke with co-hosts Scot Haney and Kara Sundlun about the "Broadway with Love" benefit that was held at the Palace.

I spoke with Brooke before the benefit and she said that the Broadway community has such a big heart. That so many came to Waterbury to do this event was nothing short of a celebration of love. Along with Brooke, other Broadway stars as well as producers, writers and directors donated their time and talents to "From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook." These included Marc Shaiman, Stephen Schwartz, Linda Eder and many other big Broadway names.

"If you told me 10 years ago that I'd be singing a song from my Broadway debut (as Penny in "Hair Spray") at the Palace in Waterbury, which had been closed when I was growing up, I'd never have believed it," said Brooke. It is sad and beautiful that all these talents came to Waterbury to help heal Sandy Hook and Newtown.

The event's proceeds will go to the United Way of Western Connecticut's Sandy Hook School Support Fund.

Joanne Greco Rochman is an active member in The American Theatre Critics Association, and covers art and culture in a blog for CBS and CBS-CT. She welcomes comments. Contact: jgrochman@gmail.com

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